With only 24 hours in a day and so much to do between working, prioritizing yourself and your mental health, taking care of children or relatives, trying to enjoy life with your friends, sometimes it’s just too much. Then to top it all off, having to stay healthy and active on top of all the things that come with adulthood can be extremely overwhelming. Something usually gets put on the back burner and most of the time in these cases, it’s your health.
How healthy your heart is depends on (in most cases) how well your body will function. You know Honey Nut Cheerios might actually know what they’re talking about in their commercials.
They push the eat healthy agenda for a healthy heart but it takes more than eating healthy.
Being active and exercising is an essential part of keeping your heart healthy as well.
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Working Out Doesn’t Have to be Black or White
Eating healthy can be hard, but going to the gym and getting a full 30 minute, 1 or 2 hour workout multiple times a week can seem impossible to some people. Who has the time or the resources?
Who has the luxury to devote themselves to a workout like that? Not everyone so it’s understandable why some people don’t work out often or at all.
But working out doesn’t have to be either or. You don’t need to spend 2 hours in the gym, 4 days a week to achieve a better heart. Can it be helpful?
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Yes. If you have the time, resources and accessibility to do so then, go for it. If not, there are other ways to keep your body active and in motion even when certain resources are not on your side.
How Yoga Can Help Your Heart- 1 Easy Exercise to Get Started
A great way to stay active without all the stress is through yoga.
Yoga is a group of physical and mental practices (exercises) that call for spiritual discipline to not only help relax your mind but improve your physical body such as your breathing and flexibility.
If you’ve ever seen it being done, yoga can seem boring and not worth the time but in all actuality, it’s one of the best ways to help your heart.
Since it focuses on stilling your mind and helping with stress, it’s a great practice to start for a healthy heart.
You can also practice in the comfort of your own home throughout the day.
No gym membership required just 5 minutes to spare and a YouTube video.
There are even some poses specifically for your heart. Click here to see what they may look like.
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9 Easy Exercises to Do Morning or Night
Now yoga is a great way to incorporate easy fitness, but here are other simple exercises you can do to ensure the same results.
- Walk- Going for a walk is an easy and low-impact exercise. Try walking up a flight of stairs for 5-7 minutes every few hours, whether it be in the office or at home (not recommended for adults over 65. See below for more recommended exercises). If you don’t have access to stairs, walk around your home for 7-10 minutes every few hours.
- Stretch- Stretching is a part of yoga, which is good for your heart and mind. Every hour, stretch for 3-5 minutes without stopping. See above for some good heart health yoga poses.
- Dance- A simple way to incorporate more dancing is to do it while you're busy. When cleaning your house, making dinner or simply sitting in your work chair, turn on some tunes and bust out a few moves every few hours. Not only is it fun but it can make time go by faster
- Wall Push-Ups- Walking down a hallway? Do 10 wall push-ups as you make your way to your destination. Do this at least 3 times a day.
- Resistance Bands- Sitting down? Use some resistance bands to get in a good arm or leg workout.
- Jumping Jacks- Do 10-15 jumping jacks (or low-impact jumping jacks) when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep.
- Squats- Every time you stand up, do 5 squats.
- Lateral Shuffles- Click here for a demonstration.
- Light Jogging- Jog in place for 5 minutes in the morning and or before bed
Exercising is the best way to maintain a healthy heart. Why? Because physical activity strengthens your heart muscles while helping manage your blood pressure and lowering your cholesterol. By incorporating a few of these exercises daily, it’ll help aid in the prevention of hypertension, high cholesterol, heart failure and other life-threatening heart conditions. Remember, it doesn’t have to be hard and excessive, just consistent and doable.
